Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

5 Apr, 2016

Thai PM concerned over taxi scams

BANGKOK, 3 April 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has expressed his concern regarding taxi scams in Thailand, urging fellow drivers to help report misconducts to authorities.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has addressed the persisting issue of Thai taxi scams, such as demanding inappropriately high fares particularly to tourists, saying that he believes most taxi drivers are honest and would never conduct such offence. He urged taxi drivers to help authorities by reporting any inappropriate conduct to officials.

The Prime Minister has assigned the Department of Land Transport to strictly collect the service history of each taxi according to the license plate, and are authorized to punish taxi drivers who violate the regulation, should the evidence indicate so.

Tourists police have also been urged to improve their performance while servicing tourists, as tourism is a main economic driver for Thailand, in which taxi services also play a crucial part, the PM has said.